SIMSBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes please contact the Town Clerk’s office.
Minutes of Meeting of May 14, 2001
Present: Bert Kaplan, Babs Gardner, Carol Bingham, Anne Erickson, Charmaine Glew, and Gail Ryan. Staff: Susan Bullock, Director; Eileen Sickinger, Recording Secretary. Friends Liaison: Eileen Zaldonis.
The meeting was called to order at 7:25 P.M. by Gail Ryan, Chairperson. The minutes of the April 16, 2001 meeting were accepted as presented. There was no public audience. There were no additional agenda items.
COMMUNICATIONS: Mrs. Ryan and Mrs. Bullock shared communications received during the past month including: a flyer regarding the Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Connecticut State Library to be held June 2nd in Meridan. A copy of the letter to Mrs. Mielert that the State Public Library Construction Grant, in the amount of $500,000, has been approved. The letter detailed instructions on the procedures to be followed prior to the actual construction.
The newsletter, Readings, of the Connecticut Center for the Book was passed around. Bert Kaplan reminded everyone of Simsbury’s Take Your Kid Fishing Day on June 1st. This activity takes place during National Fishing Week. Mrs. Bullock gave members a notice from Anne-Marie Kaminsky regarding the staff’s participation in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life to be held at the Simsbury High School track on June 22nd & 23rd. Everyone was invited to participate. Mrs. Bullock informed the Board that a check in the amount of $8,923.99 has been received from ConnectiCard Funds.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Eileen Zaldonis reported that at the final meeting of Friends Eileen Higham was elected president as of July 2002. Pearl Dexter, co-author of Tea With Presidential Families, was the speaker.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Mrs. Bullock reported that problems continue with SIRSI and a meeting is scheduled for Friday to try to find solutions. The main problems appear to be the system slowing down and its unreliability. Most of the problems appear to be with periodicals. Attached to Mrs. Bullock’s report was a letter from staff member, Pam Sikora, regarding the hard work of Shelley Spoering during the SIRSI conversion. Bert Kaplan also expressed his gratitude for Ms. Spoering’s work on Take Your Kid Fishing Day.
Regarding the building program, the building grant ($500,000) has been approved. The agreement with the State is that ground is to be broken within 18 months from the time the Bond Commission approves the grant. The current timeline calls for the project to be brought to referendum in May 2002. This timeline could be adjusted pending other town projects. Plans of the present building were found for the architect. At a recent meeting of the Public Building Committee it was clarified that Dale Cutler will remain as the architect on the Library Project with the 30% design plans to be completed in late fall. A cost estimator will be hired to work with Mr. Cutler on these plans. Fund raising for the building project was discussed and Carol Bingham asked about the feasibility of hiring a professional
fundraiser. This avenue will be pursued, as well as seeking monies from state and federal funds. Also, if there were any change in state funding for construction grants, an increase in the State Grant would be looked at. Mrs. Bullock will be researching the Small Cities Grants.
Mrs. Bullock recently spoke at a Junior Women’s Club meeting regarding the building project and she hopes to speak with other community groups. Discussion on making the public aware of the need for the building expansion covered the responsibilities of the Board, the part Friends plays in fund raising, and Town policy. A donor wall is a consideration and Mr. Kaplan has information related to this. The Friends Doorways will be used for public awareness.
As stated, Dale Cutler will continue as the architect and he has requested that the Board take one more look at his plans to date. If there are any changes, suggestions, or questions they should be brought to his attention before he starts with the 30% design development. State Grant people will be kept informed as the project progresses.
At a meeting on the architectural plans in progress of three libraries, attended by Mrs. Ryan, Mrs. Bullock and Mr. Cutler, they received a good understanding about the process of library expansion. Included in the Director’s Packet was a flyer from Ledyard’s Bill Library on their expansion. It is a good example of how Simsbury might present their project to the public. The Board’s secretary was asked to write a thank you to the staff for the Volunteer Luncheon.
There is still no news on the parking lot extension. Reference statistics will be available next month.
BUDGET 2000-2001: $10,000 has been turned back to the Town as requested by the First Selectman.
The Building Program was covered in the Director’s Report.
Carol Bingham moved for adjournment at 8:30 P.M. Second: Bert Kaplan. So moved.
Anne Erickson, Secretary
The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be on Monday, June 11, 2001. The regularly scheduled meeting of June 18. 2001 has been cancelled because of a lack of a quorum.
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